The One Where We Face Mask.

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The One Where We Quiz On Your Face.

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The One Where We Made Cookies

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Summer Classes.

   

Advice - Summer Classes.

    Summer classes are hard. Forget that niggling thought in the back of your head that tells you they won't be. It is 15 weeks of work crammed into 5 weeks of classes. Do the math. Everything you're doing is horrendously fast-paced.
    This summer I am taking an advanced English composition class in which I have to turn in a minimum of two fully planned and thought-out essays daily and complete various reading assignments, your knowledge of which being tested within class time. I am also taking an intermediate level Math class. American Math is much harder than British Math. They start complex topics at a much younger age and expect all students to continue their Mathematics education throughout all schooling. I haven't done Math for over 4 years. Admittedly, the Math course I am currently taking isn't the hardest course out there but to complete the subject in a third of the normal allotted time is tough.
    I have classes in the morning and the evening which leaves a substantial amount of time in between the two to write, study or read whatever task I have to complete for the following day, as well as time to make sure I have some form of life outside of classes.
     Having said this, summer classes are an easy way to complete a portion of the prerequisites necessary. It is impossible, and I can't stress this enough, to complete and obtain a decent grade in an associate's degree in two years without summer classes. I don't care what advisors or admissions personnel say, it is NOT possible without summer classes. For anyone looking into college in America, plan to take summer classes. Don't think you can go without, you can't. Simple as. Take the basics in summer, like your composition classes or your non-credit classes then focus on completing the more challenging topics during the lengthier semesters.

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MCC Vocal Concert.

Vocal ensembles

MCC Vocal Concert.

May 2014.

    After the success of the instrumental concert, the vocal concert the following Wednesday had a lot to live up to. And that it did. I can say that, without an ounce of doubt, that every person attending thoroughly enjoyed at least one performance. The variety of the groups performing was vast. They ranged from a classical chorus to a men's only glee club and the pieces ranged from a traditional Mormon Tabernacle Choir song to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Soundcheck

    Featuring multiple solos from ridiculously talents students, the vocal ensembles truly impressed. Sure, there were moments of weakness among every group but the overall atmosphere presented, especially by the final two groups overshadowed any of these. 

Vocal ensembles

    As usual, any decent concert must be followed by a lengthy drink and food session at a local establishment. The group, this time, being split between Buffalo Wild Wings and TGI Fridays, it can be safely said that the night was seen off in style. 

Vocals (killed). In-audience dancing (nailed). Drinks (demolished). 

Vocal Jazz

Videos of various ensembles:

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Rochester Weather.

Rochester Weather.

May 2014.

You light a candle and the flame freezes.

    The school I am currently attending is located in Rochester, New York. Roughly a 6-hour drive north of New York City, the city is famed for it's spring Lilac Festival and internationally renowned Jazz Festival, as well as it's weather. Rochester is situated near Lake Ontario, and the wind contributes to multiple fairly chilly days. Having been here since January, I can quite comfortably say that I have seen more snow than ever before and there have, so far, been less than a week's worth of blue skies.
    As I have frequently heard, Rochester's weather is "so bipolar", in the sense that one day it may be 15 degrees and the next may be 60+ (and yes, Americans use Fahrenheit, which makes no sense). I have quickly learnt to cherish the rare moments of sun, but have also found many comforts in the cold (fuzzy socks, anyone?).
   At the moment, I believe it is Spring but the seasons here blend seamlessly into one another making it impossible to tell. Recently, there have been a few thunderstorms after full days of nice temperatures. Contrary to the masses of twitter posts from girls "petrified of the thunder and lightning", these really aren't that bad and provide quite a nice alternative to the snow.
   When the sun does decide to show it's face, it is humid to say the least. On multiple occasions, my hair has ended up looking like a lion's mane mixed with Rihanna's 2011 perm - a bad combination, I assure you.
   Overall, I think the weather in Rochester is good. I'm definitely not saying that I haven't resented walking over to classes in over 10 inches of snow, but it certainly makes a pleasant change from the dreary, bland, miserable weather in England.
   Snow (Plenty). Boots (A necessity). Sun (Getting there.. slowly).

Blue skies emerging.

The trees are whistling for dogs.

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MCC Instrumental Music Concert.

MCC Instrumental Music Concert.

May 2014.

Student-Led Brass Ensemble; MCC Jazz Combo

    A big part of my education has, and always will be, music. Monroe Community College has an excellent music program and encourages a wide variety of extracurricular clubs and groups. I am currently part of the Jazz Ensemble at MCC playing baritone saxophone. The latest music concert, held in the theatre at MCC, was on May 7th. The evening was full of instrumental ensembles, both classical and jazz, and featured a guitar solo from one of the program's finest. As well as the MCC students rocking out, we were joined by a host of special guests including Doug Stone and Clay Jenkins, who kindly played alongside the MCC Jazz Ensemble. Google these guys, well worth a listen.

    In typical musician fashion, the fun continued long after the concert ended with Buffalo Wild Wings being the venue of choice for many. 

    Music (Yeah). Friends (Yeah). Drinks (Well..)

Prof. Nyerges getting a wee bit too into 'Anthropologie'

Cheeky solos from MCC Jazz Combo

'The Nearness of You' feat. Caroline Fish

Kyle Lee - Classical Guitar; Brass Ensemble; MCC Students watching the pros; Pro Drummer Chris Teal

Don't worry if you missed out on this one! There are multiple concerts every semester and a vocal concert next Wednesday in Building 4, MCC at 19:30!

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To New York and Beyond.

The Mother; Snowy View; Saxophones

To New York and Beyond.

January 2014.

    So, the time came to travel to America. Thankfully, the mother agreed to accompany me over the pond. She had never been to America before so we decided to explore New York City before venturing up to Rochester later on in the trip.
    The main stress for me with travelling was getting my saxophones over safely. After tying down all of the keys on each instrument and slapping fragile tape all over them, they were good to go.
    Making sure to limit the amount of clothing I was taking, the arduous task of packing my suitcase began. Evidently, taking my whole wardrobe would be an issue, but, moving to America during the worst winter ever meant the 23kg luggage allowance was definitely going to be a problem.
    We arrived at Birmingham Airport at ridiculous o'clock in the morning, ate, warily checked in our luggage and boarded the airplane which would be the start of the craziest adventure of my life so far.
    Suitcase (Packed). Saxophone (Ready). Airplane (Boarded).

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The Backstory.

New York City - Broadway

The Backstory.

September 2013.

    A large collection of negative experiences meant that I finally decided I needed to move on and accelerate my life in a direction that I wanted it to go in. An ultimate goal of mine (and many others, I'm sure) was to live and study abroad, specifically America. The US is an excellent place to pursue studies, especially for a Brit, for various reasons.

- We all speak the same language (a definite plus).

- The culture isn't drastically different.

- (To be really boring) The academics provide excellent flexibility and allow you to begin studies as an 'undeclared' major meaning if you (like me) have no idea, or a couple of different ideas, you can start classes without it being detrimental.

- OPT. I can't express my excitement for this enough. After completion of a degree, you can complete one year of Optional Practical Training (a job) within the US, wherever you want. The only catch is that the work has to relate to your field of study.
    Once I decided that I definitely wanted to pursue this crazy adventure, a lot of research was needed. Where was I going to study? How does all of this work?
    Quite early on in my research, it was clear to me that a community college was the best way to go. They are cheaper (being the main attraction) and, often, share professors with the four-year institutions. 
    I had my heart set, instantly, on studying in New York. Looking at community colleges within New York state, I came up with a  shortlist of colleges that checked all of the boxes on my 'need' list and fulfilled quite a few on my 'want' list. The biggest 'need' was accommodation, which many colleges lack. 
    To cut a (very) long story short, I settled on Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. This school seemed to fit my needs the best and the admissions staff were excellent with answering any queries I had.
    Application (Sent). Accepted (Yay!). Nerves (Well and truly set in).

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